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J C Sum, Mega Illusionist International Illusionist, Illusion Designer
About J C Sum


South East Asia's FIRST EVER Mega Escape Live!

A Mega Escape is defined as a spectacular complex escape stunt that is performed in an iconic location, surrounded by a live large audience and in an uncontrolled environment. The legendary Harry Houdini built his legacy on such stunts.

Widely acknowledged by the media as Singapore’s only professional female magician, ‘Magic Babe’ Ning will be attempting a first of its kind death-defying mega escape at 9.00pm on 5 July 2008, at the fountain in Clarke Quay, Singapore’s top entertainment district. 

In front of an expected live audience of 5000 people, Ning will attempt to escape from a device called “The Impalement Cage”, a steel cage with a bed of 13 stainless steel spikes, timed to crash down on her in 90 seconds. 


Ning will have to pick all the locks and shackles that secure her hands, legs and neck to the inside of the cage and then roll out to safety before the spikes fall. To add to the difficulty and danger of the mega escape, Ning will also be completely blindfolded.

What makes this particular stunt so different from any other escape of its kind is the fact that it will be attempted in full view of the surrounded live audience, with no covers, curtains, shields or boxes of any kind. This has never ever been done before! The audience will witness her complex escape step-by-step with no tricks or illusions. 

Such a live escape of this nature has never before been attempted before in South East Asia and Ning’s stunt follows in the footsteps of fellow illusionist J C Sum’s “Impossible Teleportation” mega illusion, held last August, where he teleported up 50 stories of the OUB Centre, in 5 seconds, in front of over 9000 people. That mega illusion was a major success and made news headlines worldwide.

Ning, who was called “the sexiest women in magic” by MagicSeen and also graced 6 pages of FHM Singapore in the December 2007 issue, is excited about the mega escape and is cautiously optimistic:

“This escape is not a magic trick. It is legitimately dangerous on many levels. While we will plan for every contingency; due to the complex nature of this live stunt, any small hiccup can cause this escape to fail, with dire consequences. But I’m excited and privileged to be able to take on this challenge. Being a woman in a male-dominated industry, this is a chance to prove that females need not always play passive, cutesy or submissive roles.

This mega escape goes against magic tradition, where female magicians are typically expected to perform ‘girly’ magic with colourful scarves, fans, rings, flowers or white bunnies. But then again, ‘Magic Babe’ is no ordinary female magician! Audiences of today are ready and, in fact, embrace strong female characters that are still feminine. Just think of Angelina Jolie’s characters in Tomb Raider or Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Ning will begin training for the stunt from 1 May 2008 and her regime will include strength and flexibility training as well as honing her lock-picking skills.

Designer of the mega escape & Ning’s on-stage partner, illusionist J C Sum, highlights why this stunt will set a new benchmark in magic in Asia: 

“This particular mega escape is different from anything ever done in South East Asia. Ning will be attempting the escape in an uncontrolled environment while surrounded by thousands of people, not on a theatre stage with audiences in a fixed seating position. Anything can happen as the setting is unpredictable.

In addition, anytime you see an escape of this nature, the magician is always hidden from view behind a cloth screen or curtain; this is to protect the magic secret. In this improved evolved presentation of such of a stunt, Ning will be attempting the escape in full-view of the audience at all times, atop of a multi-tiered center stage in a spiked steel cage, 14ft above ground.”

Organizers of the stunt, The Arena, are thrilled to spearhead this landmark feat. Mike Lim, Director for The Arena Entertainment Pte Ltd says:

“The mega escape by Ning is an example of The Arena's desire to create innovative live entertainment experiences in Singapore. We are the No.1 live music entertainment venue at nights and come September 2008, we will also be home to Singapore’s first permanent illusion show in the afternoons & evenings. Through these one-of-a-kind events and shows, we are doing our part to contribute to the diverse entertainment offerings of Clarke Quay and in turn, Singapore’s position as a tourist hub in Asia.”

 “The Impalement Cage” mega escape marks the official launch of “Ultimate Magic”, Singapore’s First Permanent Illusion Show that stars Ning & J C Sum.